F. Walden Adams and Linda Adams take a moment to prepare their raffle tickets hoping for a big prize, or at least a T-Shirt. Rip’s Tavern of Gracey joined the American Legion last Saturday to raise money for care packages for soldiers and honor guard expenses for veterans’ funeral services.

For some, “Support Our Troops” is just a slogan on a magnetic ribbon on the backs of their cars. For others, it is a mission for raising money, to send care packages to servicemen overseas during the holidays, and to travel to the funerals of fallen veterans to provide an honor guard. The American Legion Post 74 joined Rip’s Tavern of Gracey to raise money to give soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen the kind of support that goes beyond the back of cars.

Herb Follis of the American Legion said that his organization provides honor guards for veterans’ funerals and other civic services. Recently, this outfit was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as one of the top color guards in the region. Rip’s owner Joey Allen is a member of the American Legion and the color guard.

“We probably pulled in $300, after all was said and done,” said Allen. “I did 24 years in the Navy, and was glad to join the Legion in Cadiz. I encourage everyone who has ever served to join a veteran’s organization. It’s an opportunity to keep up with friends and to put on the uniform in the honor guard.”

Follis said that the Legion works on fundraising when not assembling care packages for troops away from home and providing honor guards for funerals. “We have a raffle at the Ham Festival every year. This year, we’ll be raffling three hams. Joey is doing the fish fry today. We don’t get much money from the state for the funerals, people do what they can to help.”